India, Australia renew rivalry in World Cup semis

Wed, Mar 25, 2015, 02:51 PM

Sydney, March 25, 2015: An undefeated India will face their biggest challenge of the cricket World Cup when they take on co-hosts and four-time champions Australia in the latter's backyard at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) here on Thursday.

There has been a lot of talk about the match ever since the two teams made the last four during the previous week. Australian players have been playing mind games that their much touted pacers will deliver "short stuff" to Indian batsman, who are traditionally more comfortable playing off their pads.

Looking at the mind games being played by Australia and the calm displayed by the Indians, it gives one an idea how the two teams are preparing for the clash.

The Aussies also have not stopped short of reminding the defending champions of their dismal tour Down Under this Australian summer.

India lost the Test series 0-2 and did not even win a single match in the One-Day International (ODI) tri-series, also involving England.

However, come Thursday, the co-hosts will be facing the same men but with a different mentality and attitude. This Indian team is on a seven-match winning-streak, shoving aside everything that has come their way. It won't be the same easy run that Australia had this summer.

The World No.1 side, on the other hand, have lost a match in this tournament, against New Zealand. The quarterfinal against Pakistan also showed that their batting order is brittle, something that Indian pacers would like to exploit.

India's bowling has been the main reason for their success in the tournament. Pacers Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav and Mohit Sharma have been brilliant.

They have done nothing extraordinary, just stuck to the basics by bowling on good line-and-length with accuracy and consistency.